Former track standout coaching college students

Former Bonners Ferry High School state discus champion Dirk Bortz is serving as assistant coach for Eastern Oregon University in La Grande.

The son of Kaeleen and Steve Bortz of Naples, Dirk Bortz took the state title in 2000 during his senior year in Bonners Ferry. As a senior at Eastern Oregon, he was ranked No. 2 in the nation for the hammer throwing track and field event. Dirk is coaching the throwing events, including javelin, shot-put, discus and hammer.

He received his bachelor’s in mathematics from Eastern Oregon in 2006 and is working toward his teaching certificate in hopes of teaching high school math.

Dirk is married to the former Sara Biechler of The Dalles, Ore. She has a degree in anthropology and does studies for the U.S. Forest Service for logging projects.

• Sharon Fitzgerald last week wrapped her biggest gift during the 12 years that she’s owned Tightwire framing gallery.

She couldn’t reveal the contents of the package because it’s a gift.

It took 25 square feet of wrapping paper to cover the 44- by 64-inch package and 20 yards of ribbon for the bow.

It took Sharon 90 minutes to wrap the gift, which included adding packaging.

• Avoni Pavlischak turned 3 years old on Sunday and her sister, Adeline, will turn 1 this coming Sunday.

Avoni was born Dec. 21, 2005. Adeline was born Dec. 28, 2007.

They are the children of Nissa Birdsbill and Zach Pavlischak, who will turn 30  this Sunday.

• Devon Huggins’ arrival home from Gonzaga University was delayed by last week’s storm that dumped a record 17 inches of snow on Spokane, Wash.

A sophomore psychology major minoring in dance, Devon was due home on Dec. 17, which is when the snow hit.

When Devon is home, she will teach dance classes to the children at her mother’s daycare center, Gabby Goose.

Devon is the daughter of L.D. and Margaret Huggins.

• Last week’s snowstorm also delayed Jillian Anderson’s return home from North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene.

A sophomore nursing student, Jillian is a resident advisor for a dorm. When the snow hit, some students who live in her dorm were unable to fly home from Spokane so they had to return to campus.

As a resident advisor, Jillian must stay at the dorm until the students leave.

She is the daughter of Craig and Rae Anderson. Her brother is Keith Anderson, 17.

• Andrakay Hoisington arrived home Thursday from University of Idaho in Moscow, where she is a sophomore majoring in political science.

Andrakay will be home until mid-January.

A 2006 Bonners Ferry High School graduate, she is the daughter of Shelly and Rex Hoisington, who manage Twin Rivers Resort. Andrakay’s siblings are Aaron, 18; Allia, 15; and Aaramie, 14.

• Kelly Stippich is the winner of the Holiday Bucks drawing from two weeks ago. Kirsten Phillips is the winner of last week’s Holiday Bucks

Kelly entered at Sugar Plum Floral and Kirsten at Community Thrift Store. Both received $50 to spend with participating local merchants.

Merchants sponsoring An Old Fashioned Christmas in Bonners Ferry have entry forms at their shops. One name is drawn each Friday at every store.

An overall weekly winner will be chosen from every store’s winners. That person will receive $50 to spend at participating local downtown merchants.

In related matters, A Bit of Paradise won the Best Decorated Window contest for the downtown competition.

Spreading the Word is about the people of Boundary County. If you’ve gone on a vacation, have a wedding planned, are moving or anything else you’d like to share, call Gwen Albers at 267-5521, or send an e-mail to galbers@cdapress.com.